PARTNERSHIP: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service and YFS have joined forces.
Jimboomba Times | July 17 2019 – 5:00PM
TWO youth service organisations in Logan have embraced a Queensland government initiative to guide young people at risk of committing crimes or reoffending.
This comes after the Queensland government faced pressure over revelations of children spending time in maximum security adult watch houses.
Woodridge MP Cameron Dick said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service and Youth and Family Services would work in partnership as part of the state Community Youth Response in Logan.
“We know that the best results often come when the community takes ownership and leads solutions that respond to local needs, so I’m delighted our government is providing funding support to two local organisations who are already doing some fantastic work in Logan,” he said.
“The Logan Community Youth Response is modelled on the successful Townsville Community Youth Response and is one of five…to be delivered which includes Cairns, Ipswich, the broader Brisbane area and the Gold Coast.”
YFS, which is based in Logan and Jimboomba and ATSICHS will also work with stakeholders including the Queensland Police Service and Department of Youth Justice.
Youth Minister Di Farmer visited Logan last week to launch the Community Youth Response.
Ms Farmer said a local approach was the most effective way to achieve youth justice outcomes.
“We have identified the need in Logan to support young people at any time of the day so the Community Youth Response in Logan will include an out-of-hours mobile outreach service,” she said.
“We want to change the story for our young people, which is why we are investing $1.26 million over the next four years for the Logan Community Youth Response.”
YFS CEO Cath Bartolo said the partnership with ATSICHS would provide better opportunities for Logan youth.
“We will be able to provide a responsive service with intensive case management where we can work both directly with young people and their families to support individual needs,” she said.
ATSICHS CEO Jody Currie said the organisation had a long track record when it came to supporting vulnerable youth.
“I’m also looking forward to our partnership with the Logan YFS where we will be able to bring our combined expertise in delivering the best possible outcomes,” she said.